Sébastien Aubert
{{Short description|French entrepreneur and film producer}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Sébastien Aubert
| image = The Producer Sebastian Aubert, Actor Bogdan Iancu at the Cinema of the World Press Conference, during the 48th International Film Festival of India (IFFI-2017), in Panaji, Goa on November 24, 2017 (cropped).jpg
| caption = Sébastien Aubert at the International Film Festival of India in 2017
| birth_name =
| birth_date = 1983
| birth_place = France
| other_names =
| education = Emlyon Business School
| occupation = Manager of Adastra Films
Film producer
| years_active =
| known_for =
| notable_works = Brides (film) (producer)
LaRoy, Texas (film) (producer)
In the Name of Blood (producer)
}}
Sébastien Aubert is a French entrepreneur and film producer, known for producing the feature film LaRoy, Texas which won the Grand Prix at the 2023 Deauville American Film Festival.
He is the co-founder of the production company Adastra Films, along with David Guiraud.
Biography
= Education and Early Career =
Sébastien Aubert graduated from EM Lyon Business School in 2007. During his studies, one of his professors, who worked in the film industry, inspired him to pursue the same path{{Cite web |title=Interview: Sébastien Aubert, Ad Astra films |url=https://www.mechant-loup.schule.de/blogs/cineblog-kinoblog/itw-aubert.htm |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=www.mechant-loup.schule.de}}
In 2007, Sébastien Aubert completed a nine-month internship at the French Film Festival in Richmond, USA, with his friend David Guiraud.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Nf-UfRt5Yo |title=Sébastien Aubert - Portrait Business - Cannes Lérins TV |date=2024-02-26 |access-date=2024-10-09 |via=YouTube}} Following this experience, the two friends founded the production company Adastra Films in Cannes in 2008 to produce David Guiraud’s first short film, Le Tonneau des Danaïdes.{{Cite web |date=2021-11-30 |title=Qui sont les leaders économiques de demain? L'Institut Choiseul a dévoilé son classement pour la Région Sud |url=https://www.nicematin.com/economie/qui-sont-les-leaders-economiques-de-demain-linstitut-choiseul-a-devoile-son-classement-pour-la-region-sud-730511 |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=Nice-Matin |language=fr}}
At the age of 25, Sébastien Aubert recalls that the three-week shoot in the Moroccan desert was very challenging. However, he admits that this experience inspired his decision to become a producer.
Le Tonneau des Danaïdes was a success, screened at nearly fifty festivals around the world, which helped the young company build a network. Sébastien Aubert then set aside his ambition to move to Paris to work in the film industry and decided to continue the Adastra Films adventure in Cannes.{{Cite web |date=2018-07-05 |title=Adastra Films réussit sa mue vers le long métrage |url=https://www.lejournaldesentreprises.com/article/adastra-films-reussit-sa-mue-vers-le-long-metrage-125456 |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=www.lejournaldesentreprises.com |language=fr}}
= From Short Films to Feature Films =
In 2011, Sébastien Aubert produced The Strange Ones, a short film written and directed by Christopher Radcliff and Lauren Wolkstein. The shoot took place in the suburbs of New York.{{Cite web |date=2011-09-28 |title=Cannes Soleil octobre 2011 by Ville de Cannes |url=https://issuu.com/cannes/docs/cannes_soleil_octobre_2011 |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=issuu.com |language=en}} The film was selected for many festivals worldwide, including the Sundance Film Festival and the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival.{{Cite web |date=2011-10-22 |title=Un cinéaste cannois en lice pour les Oscars |url=https://www.nicematin.com/faits-divers/un-cineaste-cannois-en-lice-pour-les-oscars-368648 |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=Nice-Matin |language=fr}} According to Sébastien Aubert, it was Adastra Films' first short film to achieve such international success.{{Cite web |date=2011-09-28 |title=Cannes Soleil octobre 2011 by Ville de Cannes - Issuu |url=https://issuu.com/cannes/docs/cannes_soleil_octobre_2011 |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=issuu.com |language=en}} The film was shortlisted for the 84th Academy Awards in 2012,{{Cite web |date=2011-10-22 |title=Un cinéaste cannois en lice pour les Oscars |url=https://www.nicematin.com/faits-divers/un-cineaste-cannois-en-lice-pour-les-oscars-368648 |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=Nice-Matin |language=fr}} but ultimately was not among the six final nominees.{{Cite web |date=2012-01-25 |title=Oscar du court métrage 2012: découvrez les films nommés |url=https://devenir-realisateur.com/blog/les-oscars-cest-aussi-des-courts-metrages/ |access-date=2024-10-09 |language=fr-FR}} The short film was broadcast on France 2 during the Histoires Courtes program.
In 2014, Sébastien Aubert produced his first feature film, Brides, the debut film by Tinatin Kajrishvili. The film had its world premiere at the 64th Berlin International Film Festival in February 2014, where it won the third Audience Award. That same year, the film was also selected for the Tribeca Film Festival.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm-227022/secrets-tournage/ |title=Les secrets de tournage du film Les mariés |language=fr |access-date=2024-10-09 |via=www.allocine.fr}}
After producing their short films, Sébastien Aubert became the producer of Lauren Wolkstein and Christopher Radcliff’s first feature film, The Strange Ones. To finance the film, he turned to American investment funds and private investors, raising a budget of $725,000.{{Cite web |date=2020-11-08 |title=Ancrage local, coproductions internationales, financement: quel avenir pour le cinéma français? - Sébastien Aubert |url=https://www.choiseul-magazine.fr/2020/11/08/ancrage-local-coproductions-internationales-financement-quel-avenir-pour-le-cinema-francais-sebastien-aubert/?cn-reloaded=1 |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=Choiseul Magazine |language=fr-FR}} In 2016, it was announced that Alex Pettyfer and James Freedson-Jackson would join the cast to play the two lead characters. The shoot took place in upstate New York{{Cite web |last=Ford |first=Rebecca |date=2016-08-29 |title=Alex Pettyfer to Star in 'The Strange Ones' (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/alex-pettyfer-star-strange-923980/ |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}} over 20 days.{{Cite web |last=Rizov |first=Vadim |date=2017-03-14 |title=SXSW 2017: Lauren Wolkstein and Christopher Radcliff on The Strange Ones |url=https://filmmakermagazine.com/101850-sxsw-2017-lauren-wolkstein-and-christopher-radcliff-on-the-strange-ones/ |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=Filmmaker Magazine |language=en-US}} The film was released in U.S. theaters in December 2017{{Cite web |date=2017-12-05 |title=Adastra Films exporte son film aux Etats-Unis |url=https://www.lejournaldesentreprises.com/breve/adastra-films-exporte-son-film-aux-etats-unis-111838 |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=www.lejournaldesentreprises.com |language=fr}} and in France in July 2018, distributed by Épicentre Films. It received favorable reviews but had a limited release{{Cite web |date=2023-01-23 |title=Le thriller US d'une boîte de prod' cannoise digne des frères Cohen cherche financement! |url=https://www.nicematin.com/cinema/le-thriller-us-dune-boite-de-prod-cannoise-digne-des-freres-cohen-cherche-financement-822689 |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=Nice-Matin |language=fr}} in only 40 theaters.{{Cite web |date=2018-07-11 |title=Vidéo. "The Strange Ones", ce thriller à voir absolument est produit par une société de Cannes |url=https://www.nicematin.com/cinema/video-the-strange-ones-ce-thriller-a-voir-absolument-est-produit-par-une-societe-de-cannes-245414?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1531307513 |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=Nice-Matin |language=fr}}
In 2015, at the Biarritz Film Festival, Sébastien Aubert was captivated by the short film Domingo by Raoul Lopez Echeverria and expressed his interest to the director in adapting it into a feature film. Four years later, in October 2019, filming took place in the favela of Guadalajara, where Raoul Lopez Echeverria is originally from.{{Cite web |date=2019-11-25 |title=Adastra Films confirme son ambition internationale |url=https://region-sud.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/2019-11-25/adastra-films-confirme-son-ambition-internationale-833881.html |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=La Tribune |language=fr}} The film was selected for the 46th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival{{Cite web |date=2021-08-24 |title=Toronto Film Festival Unveils Conversations, Industry Selects, Special Event Lineups |url=https://www.shootonline.com/article/toronto-film-festival-unveils-conversations-industry-selects-special-event-lineups/ |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=SHOOTonline |language=en-US}} and won the Made in Jalisco award at the 36th edition of the Guadalajara International Film Festival in 2021.{{Cite web |title=Edición 36 |url=https://ficg.mx/en/edicion/ficg-36/ |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=El Festival Internacional de Cine en Guadalajara |language=en-US}}
In 2020, Heartbeast, the debut feature film by Aino Suni produced by Sébastien Aubert,{{Cite web |date=2023-03-11 |title="Pulse", un thriller tourné sur la Côte à voir au Cineum à Cannes |url=https://www.nicematin.com/cinema/pulse-un-thriller-tourne-sur-la-cote-a-voir-au-cineum-a-cannes-833921 |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=Nice-Matin |language=fr}} was released. This psychological thriller, starring Elsi Sloan, Carmen Kassovitz, Adel Bencherif, and Camille, was almost entirely shot on the French Riviera. The original soundtrack was composed by JB Dunckel, with the lead track performed by Chilla.{{Cite web |title=Replay – Cannes Radio |url=https://www.cannesradio.com/l-invite-cannes-radio-sebastien-aubert-2 |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=www.cannesradio.com |language=fr}}
= To a Wider Audience =
In September 2023, the film LaRoy, Texas, directed by Shane Atkinson and produced by Adastra Films, won the Grand Prix, the Audience Award, and the Critics’ Prize at the Deauville American Film Festival.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-09 |title=Festival de Deauville : "LaRoy", premier long métrage saisissant de Shane Atkinson, récompensé du Grand Prix du festival du film américain |url=https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/normandie/calvados/deauville/festival-de-deauville-laroy-premier-long-metrage-saisissant-de-shane-atkinson-recompense-du-grand-prix-du-festival-du-film-americain-283.7138.html |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=France 3 Normandie |language=fr-FR}} Sébastien Aubert and the director met at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival in 2013, where Shane Atkinson presented Penny Dreadful, a short film that caught Sébastien Aubert's attention{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm-304290/secrets-tournage/ |title=Les secrets de tournage du film LaRoy |language=fr |access-date=2024-10-09 |via=www.allocine.fr}} LaRoy, Texas was released in French cinemas in April 2024 and achieved over 67,000 admissions in nine weeks.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm-304290/box-office/ |title=Box Office du film LaRoy |language=fr |access-date=2024-10-09 |via=www.allocine.fr}}
At the end of 2023, the filming of In the Name of Blood (the debut feature film by French-Georgian director Akaki Popkhadze{{Cite web |last=McLennan |first=Callum |date=2024-09-11 |title=Glamor and Grit Collide in Akaki Popkhadze's San Sebastian Bound Debut 'In the Name of Blood' — Watch Trailer (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/global/in-the-name-of-blood-akaki-popkhadze-1236140693/ |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}) took place in Nice. The film, produced by Adastra Films and starring Nicolas Duvauchelle, Denis Lavant, and Finnegan Oldfield,{{Cite web |date=2023-10-04 |title=Fin de tournage en vue pour Brûle le sang d'Akaki Popkhadze |url=https://cineuropa.org/fr/newsdetail/450863/ |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=Cineuropa - le meilleur du cinéma européen |language=fr}} has a budget of 3 million euros.{{Cite web |title=Adastra Films franchit les Pyrénées |url=https://tribuca.net/entreprises_132448448-adastra-films-franchit-les-pyrenees |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=tribuca.net |language=fr}}
{{Quote|text=There is always a risk in producing a director’s first film, but Akaki immediately had the spirit of a leader. He was both a demanding and attentive collaborator. I couldn’t be happier about his debut feature and I can’t wait to bring his upcoming project to the market (very soon).|author=Sébastien Aubert|source=the American magazine Variety}}
The film had its world premiere at the San Sebastian International Film Festival in September 2024{{Cite web |last=Hopewell |first=John |date=2024-07-17 |title=San Sebastian Unveils New Directors Strand, With New Pic From 'Sound of Silence' Director Michael Tyburski |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/global/san-sebastian-new-directors-michael-tyburski-1236075049/ |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} and is set to be released in French cinemas on January 5, 2025.
Filmography
= Feature films =
- 2014: Brides directed by Tinatin Kajrishvili
- 2017: The Strange Ones directed by Christopher Radcliff and Lauren Wolkstein
- 2020: Domingo directed by Raul Lopez Echeverria
- 2022: Heartbeast directed by Aino Suni
- 2024: LaRoy, Texas directed by Shane Atkinson
- 2025: In the Name of Blood directed by Akaki Popkhadze
= Short films =
- 2008: Le tonneau des Danaïdes directed by David Guiraud
- 2010: I am Agha directed by Muhammard Umar Saeed
- 2010: Jour 0 directed by Vincent Diderot
- 2011: Deux inconnus directed by Christopher Radcliff et Lauren Wolkstein
- 2011: Le nid directed by Tornike Bziava
- 2012: Black Mulberry directed by Gabriel Razmadze
- 2013: Social Butterfly directed by Lauren Wolkstein
- 2013: L'assistante directed by David Guiraud
- 2014: Jonathan's Chest directed by Christopher Radcliff
- 2015: Mine de rien directed by Grzegorz Jaroszuk
- 2015: H recherche F directed by Marina Moshkova
- 2016: Maxiplace directed by Vincent Diderot
- 2016: En proie directed by David Guiraud
- 2018: The Ambassador directed by Shane Atkinson
- 2022: Out of the Fog directed by Tigrane Minassian
Awards
In 2012, Sébastien Aubert won one of the four European prizes at the European Awards for Entrepreneurship through the Erasmus program for young entrepreneurs of the European Union in Brussels.{{Cite web |title=Press corner {{!}} European Commission |url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_12_1096 |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=ec.europa.eu}}
In 2014, he received the France Télévisions Young Producer Award, awarded by a jury chaired by Emma de Caunes.{{Cite web |last=Klimberg |first=Nathalie |date=2014-09-13 |title=Mediakwest - Premier Prix France Télévisions Jeune Producteur 2013/2014 lors du Festival Off-Courts |url=https://mediakwest.com/prix-france-televisions-jeune-producteur-2013-2014-1ere-edition-remis-a-la-societe-ad-astra-films-lors-15e-festival-off-courts-de-trouville/ |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=Mediakwest |language=fr-FR}} In 2015, he was named among the future leaders of film production by Screen International magazine.{{Cite web |date=2015-05-12 |title=Future Leaders 2015: Producers |url=https://www.screendaily.com/features/future-leaders-2015-producers/5087729.article |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=Screen |language=en}}
In 2015, Le Journal des Entreprises named him among 'The 100 Leaders Who Will Change France.{{Cite web |last=Clement |first=Stephane |date=2015-07-15 |title=Infographie: Les 100 patrons qui vont faire bouger la France |url=https://managementvisuel.fr/infographie-les-100-patrons-qui-vont-faire-bouger-la-france/ |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=Le blog du Management Visuel |language=fr-FR}} In 2018, he was awarded the Gold Medal of the City of Cannes, presented by Mayor David Lisnard.{{Cite web |date=2018-08-05 |title=Le Cannois Adastra Films fête ses dix ans en plein Festival! |url=https://www.webtimemedias.com/article/le-cannois-adastra-films-fete-ses-dix-ans-en-plein-festival |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=WebtimeMedias |language=fr}}{{Cite web |title=Films 06 - Video Agency in the South of France |url=https://films06.com/en/case-study/ |access-date=2024-10-11 |website=Films06 |language=en-US}}
From 2020 to 2023,{{Cite web |last=Choiseul |first=Team |date=2021-06-18 |title=Choiseul Région Sud x Pernod Ricard France |url=https://www.choiseul-france.com/choiseul-region-sud-x-pernod-ricard-france/ |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=Choiseul France |language=fr-FR}} he was a laureate of the Choiseul 100 for the France Region Sud,{{Cite web |title=Classement Choiseul Sud 2023, des Azuréennes au top |url=https://tribuca.net/reseaux_122259225-classement-choiseul-sud-2023-des-azureennes-au-top |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=tribuca.net |language=fr}} a ranking by the Institut Choiseul that highlights the most promising leaders under 40 who are playing or are set to play a major role in the French economy.{{Cite web |title=Choiseul 100 |url=https://www.choiseul-france.com/choiseul-100/ |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=Choiseul France |language=fr-FR}}
References
External links
- [https://www.allmovie.com/artist/s%C3%A9bastien-aubert-an261614 Sébastien Aubert] at AllMovie
- {{IMDb name|3229714}}
- [https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/sebastien_aubert Sébastien Aubert] at Rotten Tomatoes
- [http://www.unifrance.org/annuaires/personne/355979/sebastien-aubert Sébastien Aubert] at Unifrance
- [http://www.berlinale-talents.de/bt/talent/sebastien-aubert/profile Sébastien Aubert] at the Berlinale Talent Campus
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Aubert, Sebastien}}
Category:Emlyon Business School alumni